A useful fitness product needs to offer information consumers understand and value. My proposed product, Nike StrideSense, is a smart insole that connects to a smartphone app and provides feedback about foot movement during running or walking. My preliminary research suggests that this concept deserves further testing, but it does not yet establish enough demand to support a full launch.

Preliminary Findings and Conclusions

One finding from my secondary research is the relevance of connected fitness technology. The American College of Sports Medicine identified wearable technology and mobile exercise apps as the top two fitness trends for 2025 (American College of Sports Medicine [ACSM], 2024). This supports exploring a product that combines an insole with an app. However, these rankings reflect fitness professionals’ perspectives rather than consumers’ willingness to purchase StrideSense.

My proposed target audience is U.S. adults ages 25–44 who run or walk regularly, use smartphones, and have enough discretionary income to consider a fitness accessory priced around $299. This audience remains a working segment that I need to validate. Runners may value detailed training feedback, while walkers may prefer simple explanations of their activity.

My five-question survey asks about usefulness, preferred features, concerns, purchasing channels, and purchase intent. I have not collected responses yet, so I cannot conclude which features consumers prefer or whether they would accept the proposed price. My preliminary conclusion is that StrideSense should move through additional customer research and a limited pilot before a broader launch.

Proposed Marketing Strategies

I would position StrideSense around understandable foot-level feedback. Marketing would explain what the product measures, how the app presents that information, and how it fits into an exercise routine. I would avoid promising improved performance or injury prevention without supporting evidence.

Product demonstrations would be central to promotion. Short videos could show installation, smartphone pairing, and an example of the feedback users receive. From my customer service experience, I know clear explanations can prevent misunderstandings. Showing setup and compatibility before purchase could help consumers make a more informed decision.

I would also explore partnerships with running coaches and local fitness communities. Demonstrations involving everyday runners and walkers could make the product relatable. Any paid partnerships would include clear disclosures.

For distribution, I recommend Nike’s online channels alongside selected stores and specialty running retailers. Online information would provide convenience, while in-person demonstrations would let customers evaluate fit and ask questions. An initial Sacramento pilot could help compare those channels.

The proposed $299 price would remain a test price. Survey responses could reveal affordability concerns, but paid pilot purchases and returns would provide stronger evidence of whether consumers believe the product offers sufficient value.

Research Limitations

The largest limitation is the absence of completed primary research. My conclusions currently rely on secondary sources and assumptions about potential customers.

Another limitation is that interest in wearables does not automatically translate into demand for smart insoles. Consumers may feel that their existing smartwatch or app already meets their needs. My research must establish whether foot-level feedback offers enough additional value.

My proposed opt-in research panel also has limitations. People who join panels and choose to respond may differ from other potential customers. Screening participants for willingness to consider a $299 accessory could underrepresent price-sensitive consumers. I would acknowledge that restriction when interpreting purchase-intent results.

Finally, purchase intent is not the same as an actual purchase. StrideSense’s measurement accuracy, comfort, durability, and compatibility also require product testing. A Sacramento pilot would provide useful local evidence, but its results would not necessarily represent the entire U.S. market.

Next Steps

I would collect survey responses, compare runners with walkers, and examine differences between Nike and non-Nike customers. Follow-up interviews would help explain concerns about price, comfort, privacy, and usefulness.

If those findings support further development, I would recommend a limited pilot that measures paid purchases, returns, continued app use, and customer feedback. Those results would guide changes to the product and marketing mix. My recommendation is to continue testing the concept while keeping the launch decision open until the evidence supports it.

Reference

American College of Sports Medicine. (2024, October 22). ACSM announces top fitness trends for 2025. https://acsm.org/top-fitness-trends-2025/

When I think about brand rivalries, I think about companies trying to prove why their products are the better choice. However, a brand can also attract customers by showing respect for its competition. Both approaches can influence consumer behavior, but they create different impressions about the company.

Traditional rivalry strategies, such as Mac versus PC, emphasize differences between brands. Apple’s familiar advertisements presented Mac as relaxed and modern while portraying PC as more formal and complicated. This approach gives consumers a clear reason to choose one brand over another. It can also strengthen loyalty because customers begin connecting the brand with their own identity. Someone who sees themselves as creative might feel that Mac represents their personality. However, competitive advertising can turn consumers away when the humor starts to feel insulting or the comparisons seem unfair.

Praising competitors builds a different kind of brand positioning. Instead of focusing only on superiority, the company presents itself as confident, respectful, and approachable. Research by Zhou, Du, and Cutright (2022) found that competitor praise can increase perceptions of brand warmth, improving brand evaluations and consumer choice. This suggests that loyalty can grow through positive feelings about a company’s character as well as its product features.

Consumers may respond favorably because a compliment feels unexpected. We are used to businesses promoting themselves, so acknowledging a rival’s success can make a company seem more sincere. In one experiment, participants saw a fictional Kit Kat tweet praising Twix. Those participants later reported purchasing Kit Kat more frequently than participants who saw a message promoting Kit Kat’s own product. The researchers connected this response to perceptions of friendliness and trustworthiness (Zhou et al., 2021).

Automatic processing helps explain how these impressions could develop quickly. Consumers do not carefully analyze every advertisement they encounter. Sometimes, the tone of a short message creates an immediate feeling about a brand. Thin-slice research examines how people form judgments from brief observations of others’ behavior (Ambady & Rosenthal, 1992). Applying that idea to marketing, a brief, sincere compliment could become a cue that a company is thoughtful and confident. This is an application of the theory rather than proof that every positive message will produce a purchase.

For example, imagine seeing one brand congratulate a competitor on a successful product launch while scrolling through Instagram. That small interaction might make someone pause, like the post, or visit the brand’s page. A favorable first impression could increase purchase intent, although price, quality, and personal needs would still influence the final decision.

Praising competitors does have limits. The researchers found that praise loses effectiveness when it appears insincere or does not involve a meaningful competitive risk (Zhou et al., 2021). I would also expect praise to fall flat if a company’s actions contradict its friendly message. A business with unresolved customer complaints may need to improve its service before a compliment can build trust. Similarly, repeatedly highlighting a competitor’s advantages could leave customers wondering what makes the praising brand worth choosing.

As someone building a business, I see value in recognizing another company’s accomplishments while still explaining what my own brand offers. Respect can create a positive first impression, but consistent service and useful products give customers a reason to stay.

References

Ambady, N., & Rosenthal, R. (1992). Thin slices of expressive behavior as predictors of interpersonal consequences: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin, 111(2), 256–274. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.111.2.256

Zhou, L., Du, K. M., & Cutright, K. M. (2021, November 17). Befriending the enemy: The effects of observing brand-to-brand praise on consumer evaluations and choices. American Marketing Association. https://www.ama.org/2021/11/17/befriending-the-enemy-the-effects-of-observing-brand-to-brand-praise-on-consumer-evaluations-and-choices/

Zhou, L., Du, K. M., & Cutright, K. M. (2022). Befriending the enemy: The effects of observing brand-to-brand praise on consumer evaluations and choices. Journal of Marketing, 86(4), 57–75. https://doi.org/10.1177/00222429211053002

How Target Reaches Different Customers

When I think about companies that do a good job of reaching different types of customers, Target immediately comes to mind. Target is a company I am familiar with as a consumer because it offers so many different products in one place, including clothing, beauty products, groceries, household items, electronics, and seasonal merchandise. What stands out to me is that Target does not market every product to every customer in the same way. Instead, the company uses different types of market segmentation to connect with customers based on their needs, lifestyles, shopping habits, and interests.

Target’s Market Segments and Segmentation Strategies

One of the main segmentation strategies I notice with Target is demographic segmentation. Target serves families, parents, young adults, college students, professionals, and other groups with different needs and budgets. For example, a parent shopping for children’s clothing and school supplies may receive completely different marketing messages than someone shopping for beauty products or home décor.

Target also uses psychographic segmentation, which focuses on a customer’s lifestyle, values, and interests. Target positions itself as a retailer that combines affordability with style and design. The company describes its strategy as providing customers with design, style, value, and convenience across both its stores and digital channels. This approach appeals to customers who want their purchases to look nice but still want to stay within a reasonable budget.

Another important strategy is behavioral segmentation. Target can market to consumers according to their previous purchases and shopping behaviors. The Target Circle program provides members with personalized deals and bonuses based partly on how they shop. Target has also added AI-powered tools such as Buy Again, which uses previous purchases to make reordering frequently purchased products easier. I think this is effective because customers are more likely to respond to an advertisement or offer when it relates to something they actually purchase.

Finally, Target segments customers according to convenience needs and shopping preferences. Some customers prefer shopping inside the store, while others may use Order Pickup, Drive Up, shipping, or Same-Day Delivery. Target’s stores fulfill most of its digitally originated sales and provide several same-day fulfillment options. This allows Target to reach customers who value speed and convenience as much as price.

Key Points to Remember When Using Segmentation

There are several things I believe marketers should remember when developing a segmentation strategy.

First, marketers need to know their audience. Companies should understand what customers want, what problems they are trying to solve, and what influences their buying decisions.

Second, the segments need to be specific and meaningful. Creating a group that is too broad can make marketing feel generic. At the same time, creating a group that is too narrow may make it difficult for the company to reach enough potential customers.

Third, companies should personalize the message for each segment. The same advertisement will not necessarily appeal to a college student, a parent, and a working professional.

Fourth, companies need to select the right marketing channels. Some customers may respond better to social media and mobile advertisements, while others may be influenced by email, television, websites, or in-store promotions.

Finally, segmentation strategies should be reviewed and adjusted over time. Consumer behaviors and trends change. Companies should continue looking at customer data and feedback instead of assuming that the same strategy will always work.

A New Market Segment I Would Explore

One market segment I believe Target could explore even more is busy working women and adult learners who are balancing multiple responsibilities while also focusing on wellness, organization, convenience, and personal style.

I have noticed more marketing aimed at women who are trying to manage careers, education, households, finances, health, and self-care at the same time. This customer may not have hours available to walk through several stores. She wants to find what she needs quickly, stay within her budget, and still purchase products that make her life easier or help her feel good about herself.

I would build a segmentation strategy around women approximately ages 30 to 55 who frequently shop online or through mobile apps and value convenience. Psychographic characteristics could include being goal-oriented, budget-conscious, interested in wellness and self-care, and willing to pay a little more when a product saves time.

Target could reach this segment through Instagram, TikTok, email marketing, and personalized Target Circle promotions. Campaigns could feature products in categories such as planners and organization, home office supplies, beauty, wellness, meal preparation, comfortable fashion, and household essentials. Advertisements could focus on messages such as making life easier, saving time, staying organized, and finding affordable ways to practice self-care.

Target Circle would also be useful because the program already provides personalized shopping experiences, deals, and different membership options depending on how customers prefer to shop.

Overall, market segmentation helps companies understand that customers are not all the same. Target demonstrates how demographic, psychographic, behavioral, and lifestyle segmentation can work together. When companies understand who they are trying to reach and create marketing that relates to that person’s actual needs, I believe the message becomes much more effective and has a better chance of turning that person into a loyal customer.

For my MKT 345 Consumer Behavior final project, I selected Target and will focus specifically on its beauty category. I chose Target because it is a company that I am familiar with as a consumer, and I think it provides an interesting example of how a retailer appeals to customers with different needs, lifestyles, and budgets. Target has built a reputation around offering convenience while also giving customers access to products that feel stylish, current, and affordable.

Why I Chose Target

One reason I selected Target is because of the variety it offers. A customer can shop for groceries, clothing, home items, personal care products, and beauty products all in the same place or through Target’s website and app. This creates many opportunities to study what influences a consumer’s purchasing decisions.

Target also has a strong financial and retail presence. According to Target’s 2025 annual report, the company generated approximately $104.8 billion in net sales during the year (Target Corporation, 2026). This makes Target an interesting company to study because even small changes in consumer preferences and buying habits can have an impact on a retailer of this size.

My Selected Category: Beauty

The category I chose is beauty, which includes products such as makeup, skincare, hair care, and fragrance. I selected beauty because consumer decisions in this category can be influenced by many factors, including price, product quality, brand reputation, social media, trends, personal preferences, and recommendations from other consumers.

Beauty is also changing as consumers become more focused on value, wellness, and products that meet their individual needs. McKinsey reports that today’s beauty consumers are paying closer attention to whether products actually deliver the value and results they promise. Product quality has also become one of the most important considerations in beauty purchasing decisions.

Digital shopping will also be important to my analysis. NielsenIQ reported that beauty sales continued to grow in 2025 and that online beauty sales were increasing significantly faster than in-store sales. This makes me interested in looking at how online reviews, social media, digital promotions, and convenience may influence Target beauty customers.

Resources for My Consumer Behavior Analysis

I plan to use the following three resources throughout my consumer behavior analysis:

1. Target Corporation Annual Report
Target’s annual report will give me company-specific information about its financial performance, merchandise categories, business strategy, and overall retail operations.

2. NielsenIQ – State of Beauty 2025
NielsenIQ will help me research current beauty market trends, changes in consumer shopping behavior, online purchasing, wellness trends, and the growth of the beauty industry.

3. McKinsey & Company – State of Beauty 2025
McKinsey’s research will help me better understand consumer attitudes toward beauty products, purchasing priorities, perceived value, market segmentation, and changing beauty preferences.

Using these sources will allow me to look beyond what Target sells and focus more closely on why consumers make the beauty purchases they do. Throughout this project, I want to better understand how factors such as price, quality, convenience, social media, brand loyalty, and personal values influence Target beauty consumers throughout the buying process.

References

McKinsey & Company. (2025, June 9). State of beauty 2025: Solving a shifting growth puzzle.

NielsenIQ. (2025, October 1). NIQ’s state of beauty 2025: Beauty breaks boundaries with 10% growth, digital surge & wellness shift.

Target Corporation. (2026). 2025 annual report.

Student Marketing Research Project: The Nike StrideSense Smart Insole is a hypothetical product concept created for an SNHU marketing research assignment. It is not an existing Nike product.

For my marketing research project, I selected Nike. Nike is one of the most recognizable athletic brands in the world and is known for athletic footwear, apparel, performance, and innovation. I chose Nike because consumers already expect the company to introduce products that combine sports, technology, and performance. Nike has continued to place a strong focus on athlete-centered innovation, including newer technologies designed to improve athletic performance and the consumer experience Nike, Inc., 2025. Nike also reported $46.4 billion in revenue for fiscal year 2026, showing that the company continues to have a significant presence in the global athletic market (Nike, Inc., 2026.

New Product Concept

The new consumer product I would propose is the Nike StrideSense Smart Insole. This would be a removable insole containing small pressure and motion sensors that could be placed inside a consumer’s athletic shoes. The insole would connect to a smartphone and the Nike Run Club app to provide information such as foot pressure, stride patterns, balance, foot strike, and movement during walking or running.

The main benefit would be giving everyday consumers access to information that could help them better understand their movement and training habits. Research has shown that smart insoles can collect real-time information about foot pressure and gait while allowing the information to be viewed through a mobile device (Wang et al., 2025).

I would target active adults between approximately 18 and 44 years old, including runners, walkers, gym users, and consumers who already use fitness apps or wearable technology. An important part of the research would be determining whether consumers actually want this level of information and whether they would trust Nike to provide it.

Research Objectives and Design

My first research objective would be to determine the level of consumer interest in the Nike StrideSense Smart Insole. I would want to learn which features consumers value most, how much they would be willing to pay, how often they would use the product, and what concerns they may have about comfort, accuracy, battery life, and data privacy. I would also research whether consumers would prefer the product as a separate insole or expect this technology to already be built into their shoes.

Another objective would be to study the competition. I would research existing smart insoles, fitness trackers, smartwatches, and other wearable devices that provide similar performance information. I would compare their features, pricing, target customers, distribution, promotion, strengths, and weaknesses. This would help determine how Nike could position StrideSense differently from existing products.

External factors would also need to be considered. Technology will be especially important because the sensors must be accurate, comfortable, durable, and easy to connect to a mobile device. Privacy concerns involving consumer fitness data could also affect purchase decisions. Economic conditions may influence how much consumers are willing to spend on an additional fitness product.

I would use a mixed research approach. Secondary research would include scholarly articles, industry reports, Nike financial information, competitor websites, and research about wearable technology. For primary qualitative research, I would conduct focus groups with runners and fitness consumers to learn what they like or dislike about the concept. I would then use a quantitative online survey to measure purchase interest, preferred features, price expectations, and overall attitudes among a larger group of U.S. consumers.

By combining secondary, qualitative, and quantitative research, Nike would have stronger information to determine whether StrideSense meets a real consumer need before investing in a national product launch.

References

Nike, Inc. (2025, October 23). Nike creates new innovation engine to power athletes faster.

Nike, Inc. (2026, June 30). NIKE, Inc. reports fiscal 2026 fourth quarter and full year results.

Wang, Q., Guan, H., Wang, C., et al. (2025). A wireless, self-powered smart insole for gait monitoring and recognition via nonlinear synergistic pressure sensing. Science Advances, 11(16), eadu1598. doi:10.1126/sciadv.adu1598

If you’ve been feeling like your finances, goals, and business ideas are all living in different places, you are not alone. One of the fastest ways to feel more confident is to create simple systems that help you stay organized without making life feel more complicated.

At Prosper With Nae, we believe progress starts with clarity. Whether you are building better money habits, planning your next business move, or trying to stay on top of everyday responsibilities, the right tools can help you move with more focus and less stress.

Start with one planning hub

The easiest way to reduce overwhelm is to stop tracking everything in random notes, screenshots, and tabs. Choose one main place to manage your schedule, goals, to-do lists, and important reminders. A digital planner or organized template can give you a clear view of what matters most each day and each week.

When your plans live in one place, it becomes much easier to follow through. You spend less time trying to remember what needs to happen and more time actually making progress.

Create a simple budget routine

Budgeting does not have to be complicated to be effective. A basic routine can help you understand where your money is going and where you want it to go instead. Start by reviewing your income, fixed expenses, savings goals, and spending categories on a regular schedule.

• Check in with your budget once a week
• Track recurring bills and upcoming expenses
• Set one realistic savings goal at a time
• Review spending patterns without judging yourself

Small, consistent check-ins often work better than trying to do a full financial reset every few months. The goal is not perfection. The goal is awareness and steady improvement.

Break big goals into weekly actions

Big goals can feel exciting until it is time to figure out what to do next. That is why breaking them into weekly action steps matters so much. Instead of writing down a goal like “grow my business,” turn it into tasks you can actually complete this week.

• Outline one offer or product idea
• Update one section of your brand or shop
• Reach out to one new connection or collaborator
• Set aside one focused work session to move a project forward

Momentum builds when your goals become visible and manageable. Even a few completed steps can create the confidence you need to keep going.

Use templates to save mental energy

You do not need to reinvent every process from scratch. Templates can help you make decisions faster, stay consistent, and free up energy for the work that really needs your creativity. From business planning to budgeting to career development, a strong template can turn a vague idea into a clear next step.

Organization is not about doing more. It is about making it easier to do what matters.

Build confidence through consistency

Confidence does not always come before action. A lot of the time, it grows because of action. When you consistently use tools that support your goals, you begin to trust yourself more. You can see your progress, adjust your plans, and keep showing up for the life and business you want to build.

If you are ready for practical tools that help you stay organized, focused, and encouraged, Prosper With Nae is here to support your journey. Explore our digital planners, business templates, budgeting tools, and resources designed to help you prosper with purpose.

Introduction

Have you ever felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day? Between work, family, finances, and personal goals, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The good news is that staying organized isn’t about doing more—it’s about creating simple habits that help you stay focused on what matters most.

At Prosper With Nae, I believe success starts with having a plan. Here are ten habits that can help you become more organized and productive every day.

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1. Start Each Day With a Plan

Before checking emails or social media, take five minutes to write down your top three priorities for the day. Having a clear plan helps you stay focused instead of reacting to everything that comes your way.

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2. Set Realistic Goals

Big goals are exciting, but breaking them into smaller weekly and daily tasks makes them much more achievable. Progress happens one step at a time.

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3. Use One Planner for Everything

Instead of keeping separate notebooks for work, finances, and personal goals, consider using one planner that keeps everything in one place. This makes it easier to stay organized and avoid missing important tasks.

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4. Review Your Budget Monthly

Financial organization is just as important as managing your schedule. Setting aside time each month to review your income, expenses, and savings goals can help you make more confident financial decisions.

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5. Build Positive Habits

Small habits, like drinking enough water, reading for 20 minutes, or exercising three times a week, create meaningful results over time. Tracking your habits makes it easier to stay consistent.

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6. Time Block Your Calendar

Schedule dedicated time for focused work instead of multitasking. Even one uninterrupted hour can help you accomplish more than several distracted hours.

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7. Limit Digital Distractions

Notifications can quickly derail your productivity. Consider turning off unnecessary alerts while you’re working on important tasks.

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8. Celebrate Small Wins

Every completed task is progress. Recognizing your accomplishments helps maintain motivation and builds momentum.

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9. Review Your Week

Spend a few minutes every Sunday reviewing what went well and what you’d like to improve. Reflection helps you start each new week with purpose.

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10. Stay Consistent

Organization isn’t about being perfect—it’s about building routines that support your goals. Small, consistent actions lead to lasting success.

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Final Thoughts

Success doesn’t happen overnight. It grows from the habits you build each day. Whether you’re working toward financial freedom, growing a business, or simply trying to feel more organized, having the right tools can make all the difference.

Here at Prosper With Nae, my goal is to create digital planners and resources that help you plan with confidence, stay organized, and build the future you envision.

Thank you for being part of this journey. I’m excited to continue sharing practical tips, inspiration, and tools to help you prosper in every area of life.